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Ellis' recovery from surgery nearly complete

Jeff Nelson predicts who will replace A.J. Ellis after the Dodgers catcher has knee surgery that will sideline him for at least a month

By Ken Gurnick
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MLB.com |

LOS ANGELES -- A.J. Ellis completed his two-game Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday night. He returns to Los Angeles on Tuesday and will be activated a day or two later, having recovered from surgery on his left knee.

The Dodgers are likely to keep Drew Butera as the backup to Ellis and return journeyman Miguel Olivo to Triple-A. Olivo signed a 45-day advance consent to an assignment when he was promoted last month.

The Orioles, who have lost Matt Wieters to an elbow injury that might require surgery, might be interested in Olivo, but the Dodgers are likely just as interested in keeping him for insurance while Tim Federowicz continues to get seasoning as the starting catcher for Albuquerque.

Ellis went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer on Monday night for the Isotopes. He has been on the disabled list since April 6, meaning that he will return five weeks after surgery. The original prognosis was four to six weeks.

In other injury news, pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu is expected to throw off a mound on Tuesday to test his healing right shoulder blade. A decision then will be made whether he will have another bullpen session, pitch batting practice or head out on a Minor League rehab assignment.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.